HHS Releases Additional $100 Million in Emergency Funds
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced January 31 the release of an additional $100 million in emergency funds to all states under the FY 2005 LIHEAP program. The additional funds are being allocated to assist states and low-income households coping with much higher heating bills this winter.
The formula for allocating funds under the second release is the same as the first release on December 23, 2004. Fifty percent of the funds ($50 million) are based on each state's share of the regular block grant allocation formula and50 percent of the funds ($50 million) are based on the regular block grant allocation formula weighted by the relative percentage of low-income households in each state that uses heating oil and propane for heat.
A spreadsheet lists the state and tribal allocations; grant awards will be issued shortly.
With the two releases this winter totaling $200 million, a total of $97.6 million remains in emergency contingency funds that may be used for other potential winter emergencies or cooling crises this summer.
Source: Source: Administration for Families and Children (ACF) Press Office and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)